🚀 Docker MCP Tutorial - Build AI Tools with Docker

Learn how to build and deploy MCP (Model Context Protocol) servers using Docker! This repository contains everything from the NetworkChuck Docker MCP video tutorial, including complete examples, templates, and step-by-step guides.

🎥 Watch the Tutorial

Watch the full video tutorial on YouTube →

⚡ Quick Start (5 Minutes)

Get your first MCP server running in under 5 minutes:

hljs language-bash

# 1. Install Docker Desktop (if not already installed)
# Visit: https://docs.docker.com/desktop/

# 2. Enable Docker MCP Toolkit
# Settings → Beta Features → Enable "Docker MCP Toolkit"

# 3. Clone this repository
git clone https://github.com/networkchuck/docker-mcp-tutorial.git
cd docker-mcp-tutorial

# 4. Build the dice roller example
cd examples/dice-roller
docker build -t dice-mcp-server .

# 5. Follow the Quick Start Guide
# See: quick-start/setup-guide.md

📚 What's Included

🎲 Complete Working Example

Dice Roller - Fun D&D dice rolling MCP server with all files ready to run

🛠️ MCP Builder Prompt

NetworkChuck's custom prompt that generates complete MCP servers from simple descriptions. Just describe what you want, and it creates everything!

📖 Comprehensive Documentation

Step-by-step installation guides (Mac, Windows, Linux)
How to build custom MCP servers
Docker MCP Gateway deep dive
Troubleshooting common issues

🔗 All Resources & Links

Every tool, link, and resource mentioned in the video, organized and ready to use.

🗂️ Repository Structure

hljs language-graphql

docker-mcp-tutorial/
├── examples/                    # Complete working MCP server
│   └── dice-roller/            # D&D dice rolling server
├── mcp-builder-prompt/         # AI prompt to generate MCP servers
├── quick-start/               # Get running in 5 minutes
├── docs/                      # Detailed documentation
│   ├── installation.md       # Platform-specific setup
│   ├── custom-servers.md     # Build your own servers
│   ├── docker-gateway.md     # Gateway architecture
│   └── troubleshooting.md    # Common issues & fixes
└── resources/                 # Links and additional resources

🎯 What You'll Learn

MCP Fundamentals - Understand the Model Context Protocol
Docker Integration - Run MCP servers in containers
Build Custom Servers - Create your own AI tools
API Integration - Connect to external services
Security & Secrets - Manage API keys safely
Remote Access - Expose servers over network
n8n Integration - Automation workflows with MCP

🚦 Prerequisites

Docker Desktop installed and running
Claude Desktop or another MCP-compatible client
Basic command line knowledge
Coffee ☕ (highly recommended)

📋 Installation Overview

1. Install Docker Desktop

Download Docker Desktop
Enable MCP Toolkit in Beta Features

2. Configure MCP Client

Set up Claude Desktop, Cursor, or LM Studio
Configure MCP gateway connection

3. Build & Deploy

Build Docker containers for MCP servers
Register servers in catalog
Start using with your AI!

Detailed platform-specific instructions in docs/installation.md

🔨 Building Your First MCP Server

Using the MCP Builder Prompt

Open the prompt template: mcp-builder-prompt/mcp-builder-prompt.md
Describe your desired functionality
Feed to Claude or your preferred AI
Get complete, working MCP server code!

Example: Weather MCP Server

hljs language-css

"I want to build a weather MCP server that can:
- Get current weather for any city
- Get 5-day forecast
- Convert between Celsius and Fahrenheit
Use the OpenWeather API"

The AI will generate all files needed: Dockerfile, Python server, configuration, and installation instructions!

🎮 Example Server Included

🎲 Dice Roller

Perfect for D&D and tabletop gaming:

Roll any dice notation (2d6+3, 1d20, etc.)
D&D stat generation
Advantage/disadvantage rolls
Skill checks against DC

Note: The video also demonstrates building Toggl Timer and Kali Linux MCP servers. Use the MCP Builder Prompt to create these or any other server you can imagine!

🔧 Docker MCP Gateway

The Docker MCP Gateway is the magic that makes this all work:

Centralized Management - One connection, multiple servers
Secret Management - Secure API key storage
Transport Options - Local (stdio) or Network (SSE)
Dynamic Containers - Servers run on-demand

Learn more in docs/docker-gateway.md

🌐 Remote Access & n8n Integration

Run your MCP servers over the network:

hljs language-bash

# Start gateway with network transport
docker mcp gateway run --transport sse

# Access from n8n or remote clients
http://YOUR_IP:8811

Perfect for automation workflows and remote AI operations!

🐛 Troubleshooting

Common Issues

Tools not appearing in Claude?

Restart Claude Desktop
Check catalog and registry files
Verify Docker image built successfully

Authentication errors?

Verify secrets: docker mcp secret list
Check environment variable names

Container not running?

Check logs: docker logs [container-name]
Verify Dockerfile syntax

Full troubleshooting guide in docs/troubleshooting.md

📚 Resources & Links

Official Documentation

APIs Used in Examples

🤝 Contributing

Found a bug? Have an improvement? Contributions are welcome!

Fork the repository
Create your feature branch
Commit your changes
Push to the branch
Open a Pull Request

📄 License

MIT License - See LICENSE file for details

🙏 Acknowledgments

Docker for sponsoring and creating the MCP Toolkit
Anthropic for the Model Context Protocol
The amazing NetworkChuck community

☕ Support

If this helped you, consider:

⭐ Starring this repository
🔔 Subscribing to NetworkChuck on YouTube
☕ Buying NetworkChuck a coffee

Remember: The world of AI tools is evolving rapidly. This is your chance to be part of the revolution. Don't waste it!

"Hack YouTube ethically, of course." - NetworkChuck

docker-mcp-tutorial